Chattanooga Math Circle

About Chattanooga Math Circle

There is a correlation between problem solving and the learning process of mathematics.
Strong problem solving skills have considerable effect in transforming a mathematics
enthusiast into an exceptional researcher. Following the traditions of Russian and
Eastern European math circles, Chattanooga Math Circle is a creative enrichment program
geared toward gifted middle and high school students in grades 7-10. Its objectives
are:

to provide an enriching and stimulating environment that encourages further involvement
from students already interested in mathematics;

to promote mathematics to a wider audience and explain its impact and relevance for
society;

The Math Circle focuses on topics outside of what is typically covered in a middle
and high school setting but accessible to the mathematically inclined students. These
are as varied as advanced Euclidean geometry, elementary number theory, fractals,
combinatorics, graph theory, probability, statistics, game theory, and logic. Under
the guidance and instruction of mathematics faculty and supported by talented undergraduate
mathematics majors, students will have the opportunity to learn and explore a variety
of effective problem solving strategies. Students can expect to be supported in an
environment with events and activities that help them learn quickly and push outside
their comfort zone, to grow their skills and gain valuable insights into various mathematical
problems, and to have a lot of fun learning beautiful and useful mathematics.

Fall 2018 Schedule

The format is that of one and a half hours meeting, from 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM on Thursdays. The Math Circle will meet in Room 232 of the Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer
Science (EMCS) Building starting September 13th and continuing until November 22nd. After hours parking is free in Lot 10. Parents are welcome to use the UTC Library
while their children are participating in the Math Circle. The latest books and magazines
are in the common area of the first floor of the UTC Library.

Date

Title

Speaker(s)

9/13

Applications of Congruences: Check Digits

Andrew Ledoan

9/27

Pauli Matrices and Commutation

Roger Nichols

10/18

Sum of Squares

Andrew Ledoan

11/1

Probability

Andrew Ledoan

11/15

Lakmali Weerasena

11/22

Thanksgiving Day – No Session

Math Circle Instructors

The Math Circle instructors are faculty members and graduate and undergraduate students
from The University of Tennessee at Chattanoooga (UTC):

Dr. Andrew Ledoan, UTC, Director

Dr. Roger Nichols, UTC, Co-Director

Dr. Cuilan (Lani) Gao, UTC, Co-Director

Dr. Lakmali Weerasena, UTC

Mr. Matthew Villanueva, UTC

Ms. Rhionna Sims, UTC

Upcoming Mathematics Competitions

The AMC is a series of national mathematical competitions of increasing difficulty
organized annually by the Mathematical Association of America. Participants are middle
school and high school students. According to AMC, the competitions are intended for
everyone from the average student at a typical school who enjoys mathematics to the
very best student at the most special school. The AMC starts with AMC 8 and AMC 10/12,
continues with the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) for students who
qualify, and finishes with the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO). The
top participants in the USAMO are invited to take part in the Mathematical Olympiad
Summer Program (MOSP), where a US team for the International Olympiad is selected.

Typically, students take AMC 10/12 B at their schools. However, if their school is
not offeringthe test, they can now take it at UTC. For banks of AMC problems, visit the Art of
Problem Solving’s AoPSolving Wiki website.

AIME

10,000 students are invited (March)

15 questions in 3 hours, each answer is an integer number 0-999

USAMO

500 students are invited (April)

6 essay/proof questions in 2 days (9 hours)

12 students are invited to the award ceremony in Washington, DC

MOSP

50 students are invited: IMO team (6 students), 2 alternates, 17 younger top students,
25 top

Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

Are you an undergraduate student with a passion for mathematics? Do you enjoy sharing
your enthusiasm for mathematics with talented school children? There are many ways
in which you can be involved; for example, research math circle problems, create worksheets
and slideshow presentations, and lead school children through a variety of mathematical
topics. If you wish to learn more about these opportunities, please send your request
to Andrew-Ledoan@utc.edu.